The Au Pair Stories Behind 20 Years of APW
What do au pairs remember after an APW course? Sometimes it is a conversation that helped them feel more confident. Sometimes it is a friend they meet again in another city. Sometimes a camera roll says it best.
As Au Pair Weekend celebrates 20 years, we are hearing from au pairs about what these experiences meant to them. Their stories show how learning, exploring, and spending time together can shape an au pair year.
For Erik O, that growth began with connection. When he arrived in the U.S. from Brazil, he was shy and found it difficult to make friends while speaking English. He attended APW’s Make a Difference and Discover the U.S. courses in 2023.
One of his favorite memories was taking over APW’s social media. He photographed the places he visited and interviewed professors at the university where his course took place. The interviews became an icebreaker, giving everyone a chance to share their experiences and connect.
“Of course, I got more confidence,” Erik says. He wanted to spend his time in the U.S. making memories and meeting people. Looking back, he describes APW as “a life changer for me.”
For Emmi, connection continued beyond her course weekend. Emmi, an au pair from Germany who lived in North Carolina, chose to complete three credits online and three in person. Her in-person course brought her to Washington, D.C., in April 2026.
There, she met au pairs from different countries and formed a small group of friends. They spent the weekend together and explored the city outside of course time. Later, Emmi reunited with one of those friends during a trip to New York and stayed at her home in New Jersey.
Her advice to other au pairs is to use those connections. Talk to people, stay in touch, and make time for the experiences available to you. She also learned that a few close friendships can mean more than trying to meet as many people as possible.
Honoka’s story reflects the new perspectives that can come with stepping into an unfamiliar place. Honoka had been a yoga instructor for three years when she decided to try something new and see more of the world. In her video, she reflects on leaving her family, friends, and familiar surroundings behind.
Her story follows the friendships she made and the cultures and languages she encountered along the way. As she writes in her video, “It changed the way I see the world and broadened my perspective.”
For 20 years, au pairs have brought their own experiences, questions, and personalities to APW. Their stories help us understand what stays with them and why opportunities to connect matter.
Have an APW memory or an au pair adventure to share? Enter our 20th Anniversary Giveaway by October 28! Earn 10 extra entries by posting an Instagram video sharing your story and tagging @aupairweekend. Sharing a story is optional. You can enter by simply filling out the form!
Enter here, and visit us on Instagram for full details and more ways to earn extra entries.
BasketBros gets really fun when I have to defend against someone who keeps changing direction. I cannot just react automatically, so every possession makes me pay closer attention.